Signal



Dec. 27, 1932. s. E. B. SODERBERG 1,892,016

SIGNAL Filed Feb. 29, 1932 r 5 V Z /7 IE r Z7 /6 26 Z? 33 7 l 3O /.7 Z5 M WA" T m L28 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 30 of steam from the boiler.

Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT F F ICE STEN E. B. SODERBERG, OF PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO LESLIE COMZPANY,

OF LYNDHURST, -NE)! JERSEY SIGNAL Application filed February 29, 1932. Serial No. 595,859.

This invention relates to signal horns of the so-called tyfon .type and particularly to such horns as applied to locomotives.

In connection with the description of the invention, reference is made to the accomenlarged view of a detail.

The horn proper is not modified in the use of my invention. It may briefly be described as follows: The body casting 1 has a passage 2 to the lower end of which steam or 5 other operating fluid is admitted. The circular end 3 of the passage 2 bears against the resilient diaphragm l. The space 5, surrounding the end portion of passage 2, opens to the atmosphere through the horn 6. The

space 7 behind the diaphragm is closed except for its communication with the atmosphere through the small openings 88.

The admission of the fluid under pressure to operate the horn is controlled by means of the valve 9. This is operated in the usual way from the cab by means of a cord or rod attached at 10 at the upper end of the lever 11, this lever being pivoted at 12. The horn in the present instance is operated by means The boiler sheet is shown at 13,14 designating the steam space. Steam from the steam space reaches the valve by means of the passage 15.

The horn in the present instance is shown as comprising a steam jacket 16, the purpose of which is of course to heat the horn in the winter and keep it from freezing up and to prevent excessive condensation of steam 1n 0 the operating portions. The steam jacket 16 receives its steam by means of the passage 17 branching off from the passage 15.

In locomotive whistles it is the usual practice to regulate the amount of steam supplied to the whistle by varying the distance to 19 by the desired amount. This evidently fixes the distance 20 and therebylimits the distance to which-the valve .can be opened.

This is an objectionable practice inasmuch as the high velocity of the steam between the valve and its seat when the valve is opened to only a small amount, results in excessive cutting of the valve or its seat thereby causing the valve to leak.

I propose to regulate the amount of steam not'by adjusting the distance to which .the

valve 9 opens but by further means next to be described. These means comprise a wall 21 between the-steam inlet 15 and the valve 9, this wall being ported at 22. The port is of such size that it is capable of supplying a little more steam than is necessary for satisfactory operation ofzthe horn and the amount of steam actually supplied is regulated by means of the valve 23. This valve is preferr ably given the form illustrated :on an enlarged scale in Fig. 2. The tapered point 24 enters the orifice '22 more .or less depending upon the setting, which isefiected by means of the screw threads '25 working the corresponding screw threads in the :plug 26, the

valve being turned by means ofthe squared end 27 of the spindle 28, this squared end projecting out through athestutfing box 29. The stufling box and valve are carried by the plug 26 which is screwed into the horn casing at 3 0.

In addition to the function spoken of, that is, the regulating ofthe amount of steam supplied .to the horn, the valve has'the further function ofserving as a shut-off valve when it is desired to shutoff steam from ,the horn. For this purpose it has an annular seat 81 adapted to engagethe seat 32 of the wall-21. It happens not infrequently that locomotive whistle valves are leaky, usually from the reason pointed out above. No shutoff valve is provided in the ordinary whistle and the 9 can be screwed out and the valve ground on its seat to a tight fit. One advantage in the arrangement described is that in cold weather and with the locomotive in a place where freezing temperatures prevail, the operating valve can be taken out for regrindin g or other repairs while steam is still being supplied to the jacket of the horn, thereby keeping the horn from freezing up. The shut-off valve 23, in other words, while closing off the steam from the passage controlled by the operating valve 9, leaves the passage 17 to the jacket open.

In the description given above it is assumed that the whistle is to be operated by steam. Incidentally, Fig. 1 shows theconnection 34 by means of which compressed air can be delivered to passage 2 to operate the horn. Withthis arrangement it is'optional to blow the horn either with steam or with compressed air. I

In-practice it is very convenient tomake the base containing the valves separate from the horn propen. By doing this it is possible to use the same sized base fordifl'erentsizes of upper or horn section; and in addition the manufacture is simplified. The base has an inlet 15 for one fluid, a second inlet for a second fluid to'which :pipe 34 is connected, andthe common outlet for both fluids communicating withthe passage 2 of the upper section; andin additionlthe base has the sec 0nd outlet'17 for the first fluid communicating with the jacket.

What I claim is: l

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an audiblefluid operated signal, a boiler, a conduit from the steam space of the boiler to the-signal, a steam jacketaencasing portions of the signal and, communicating with the conduit, a valve controlling the conduit,a further valved conduit to supply asecondoperating fluid to the signal, adjustable means separate from said first-named valve to regulate the rate of flow of the steam when the valve is open, and means between the valve and the boiler to shut ofi' first namedconduit.

[2. In apparatus of the class described the combination of a steam-operated horn, a steam acket enclosing parts of it, a conduit to-supply steam to the jacket, a second conduit branching off from the first one toconduct the steam for opera-ting the horn,'ash utoff valve controlling said second conduit, and a further conduit for a second operating fluid. 7

3. In apparatus of the class described the combination of-an audible fluid operated signal, aboiler, a conduit for operating steam from the steam space of the boiler to the signal, an operating valve controlling the conduit, means between the valve and the boiler for shutting off the conduit, a steam jacket encasing portions of the signal and communicating with the conduit at a point between the said means and the boiler, whereby the steam can be shut off from the signal and the valve repaired while steam is still suppliedto the jacket to keep the signal from freezing up. r

'4. In apparatus of the class described, a horn base having two inlets for two separate operating fluids and a common outlet for them, a second outletfor one of the fluids and a shut-off valve to shut off the last-named fluid from the common outlet while leaving it free access to the single outlet.

5. In apparatusof the class described the combination of the horn base claimed in claim 4 withan upper horn sectionhaving an inlet for operating fluid and'a jacket sur rounding it, the jacket also having an inlet, the two inlets of the upper section being soarranged that when the base and upper section are assembled, the former inlet communicates with the common base outlet and the second. inlet communicates with the second base outlet. s V

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. J I

STEN E. B. SODERBERG. 

